HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 997 Offered February 19, 2007 Commending the Pegram Family. ---------- Patrons-- Tyler; Senator: Lucas ----------

WHEREAS, the Pegram Family was honored as a recipient of the Virginia Century Farm Program’s Certificate of Recognition as the owner of The Harp Tract in Stoney Creek, Virginia, an operating family farm for 100 consecutive years; and

WHEREAS, the Virginia Century Farm Program honors the owners of family farms that have been in operation for at least 100 consecutive years, as well as acknowledges the generations of Virginia farm families whose diligent efforts have maintained these farms, provided nourishment to their fellow citizens, and contributed to the economy of the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, the Pegram Family received a certificate signed by the Governor and the Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS), a sign for outdoor display, and permanent recognition as a Virginia Century Farm on the VDACS website; and

WHEREAS, in 1907, Alex Harp purchased 85 acres on Halifax Road in Stoney Creek from R. B. and Lula Hartley for $300 in cash; the tract of land was equally divided in farmland and woodland; and

WHEREAS, when Alex Harp died in 1909, his daughter and son-in-law, Sarah and Junius Pegram, inherited the land and raised nine children on what has become the cherished Pegram family homeplace and productive family farm; and

WHEREAS, Junius Pegram raised hogs, cows, chickens, and horses on the farm, family life centered around the day-to-day activities of rural Stoney Creek, and leisure time was spent on the farm deer and fox hunting in the woods, fishing in the creeks, playing baseball in the fields, and enjoying a multitude of other outside adventures; and

WHEREAS, the Pegram family farm has produced peanuts, corn, soybeans, and cotton by Peter and Otha, two of Junius and Sarah Pegram’s sons, and later by local farmers that rented the fertile land to plant their crops; and

WHEREAS, today, the Pegram family farm is owned and lovingly cared for by Junius and Sarah Pegram’s grandson Glover Pegram and his family; and

WHEREAS, the Glover Pegram Family is planning a celebration in May 2007 to honor their family’s legacy and 100 years of ownership of their Virginia Century Farm in Stoney Creek, Virginia; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly commend and congratulate the Pegram Family as a recipient of the Virginia Century Farm Program’s Certificate of Recognition as owners of an operating family farm for 100 consecutive years; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Glover Pegram as an expression of the General Assembly’s appreciation of his stewardship and dedication in maintaining his family farm in the Commonwealth.